NEW YORK – In response to a surge of violence targeting New York City bodega owners and workers, a new safety initiative has equipped several of these small stores with panic buttons. These devices, intended to enhance security, alert nearby police and businesses when activated. This measure comes as part of a pilot program backed by United Bodegas of America (UBA), aimed at combatting the recent spike in attacks on the community.
“Today marks the rollout of a long-awaited pilot program where bodegas across the city will receive what we’ve been advocating for years,” stated Fernando Mateo, spokesperson for the UBA. The group partnered with the security firm Safer Watch, which has installed the systems in four bodegas located in high-crime areas.
The technology allows employees to instantly notify law enforcement and other connected stores when facing a threat. Geno Roefaro, owner of the Florida-based Safer Watch, flew to New York for the launch. “These technologies have proven their worth by saving lives and curbing further escalation of incidents,” he explained.
The unveiling of the panic buttons follows closely on the heels of several violent episodes in bodegas across the city. Notably, a bodega employee in the Bronx suffered severe facial injuries after an assailant attacked her with a sledgehammer on June 22. The following day, another bodega worker was repeatedly stabbed in the chest for denying a customer store credit. Additionally, on June 19, police reported that 33-year-old bodega clerk Joseph Lewis was shot in the stomach and subsequently hospitalized.
Despite the potential costs, which could reach $3,000 per store annually, proponents of the technology, like Councilmember Oswald Feliz of NYC’s 15th district, believe the safety benefits justify the investment. Feliz is actively persuading his peers to allocate $15 million towards expanding the program citywide. “This panic button sends a clear signal that violence in our bodegas will not be tolerated, and offenders will be held accountable,” said Feliz.
The push for increased security measures in bodegas not only aims to safeguard the workers but also serves to uphold the vibrant and essential role these establishments play in New York City’s neighborhoods. As these stores often operate late into the night and are sometimes manned by just one employee, enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies is crucial. The community hopes that with wider adoption, the panic buttons will serve as a deterrent to potential criminals and help forge a safer environment for both workers and patrons in New York City’s beloved bodegas.